He said the law, HB 2, violates doctors' First Amendment rights and "appears to inflict psychological harm on abortion patients."

Free Speech

The law allows patients to look away from the image and cover their ears to avoid hearing the description or the fetal heartbeat. However, it penalizes physicians up to $250,000 for not complying.

HB 2 is one of two abortion bills the state legislature passed this year. The other measure bans abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued over the ultrasound bill, but not the abortion ban. In striking down the HB 2, the judge rejected a U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion and followed a decision from the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

"We are confident the constitutionality of HB 2 will be upheld, as similar laws have been in both the 5th and 8th Circuits," said Amanda Stamper, a spokeswoman for the governor.

Hale, an Obama appointee, has showed his teeth on free speech issues before. During the last presidential campaign, he said, Trump was "particularly reckless" when he spoke at a rally that broke out in violence and a subsequent lawsuit.

"It is plausible that Trump's direction to 'get 'em out of here' advocated the use of force," Hale wrote in allowing protesters to continue their complaint for damages.